How to get on the hydrocarbons industry job ladder

A career in the hydrocarbons industry can be a rewarding experience, often involving international travel, working with people from diverse backgrounds, and the thrill of working with one of the world’s essential resources. Successful entry into the hydrocarbons industry depends on the candidate’s commitment to gaining a combination of the right qualifications and experience.

Opportunities

Climate change has prompted the urgent need for ‘clean fuels’ technology to help reduce carbon emissions from the world’s existing fossil fuels plants, which has opened up the doors for chemistry and engineering graduates in the petroleum industry. Add to this the significant skills shortages in the scientific and engineering disciplines, and the industry immediately becomes ripe for employment opportunities. Roles involving hydrocarbons engineering will lead graduates primarily to the oil industry and to roles ranging from exploration and production of fossil fuels to geological surveying.

Qualifications

For scientific and engineering roles, a university degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering is imperative; however, there are also openings in the administrative sectors of the industry, which would require degrees in administration, management, finance or business studies.

Graduate Recruitment

University students have the opportunity to apply for graduate roles in major oil companies such as Total, Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips by means of specialised graduate recruitment programs. This process usually begins up to a year before graduation, with information, application forms and details of closing dates available online through the company’s website.

Work Experience

Work experience, internships and summer placements are advantageous for candidates seeking first time employment. Not only do such placements allow you to get a feel for the industry and gain insight into the areas you might prefer to work in, but they also give the company an opportunity to observe your performance and fit for the organisation, which if suitable, will put you in good stead for landing a graduate position with them. Work experience is also incredibly valuable for your CV, as it is indicative of self-motivation and a personal commitment to bettering your career.

Further training

Those who secure graduate positions can expect on-the-job training, which may begin with an initial two to three week course introducing you to different sectors within the company, followed by an ongoing developmental program that is aligned with your own career interests and progression. Following your placement, you could find your career taking off in directions you never expected.

Development Programmes

The ConocoPhillips pioneer programme, for example, consists of a series of two-week long courses held within the first year with the company. The course includes team building and workshops conducted by key managers and professionals from a wide variety of disciplines.

Total UK has two graduate programmes for both refining and marketing. On the refining (engineering programme), chemical engineering graduates are based at one of the two Total UK refineries and undergo a four-year development programme. Marketing (management) graduates join a three-year rotational programme and gain knowledge from three different areas of the business.

BP graduate training also offers both commercial and technical schemes with provision for chemists, chemical, mechanical, instrument, control and electrical engineers. Typical schemes last for between three and four years and involve on-the-job training and a series of three different placements and appraisals. The commercial schemes typically last for between two and three years and are spread across a range of business activities. Following the training the graduate will possibly attain some chartered status and then be given a choice of postings for a first job.

With this information and these suggestions in mind, your journey onto and up the career ladder in hydrocarbons will likely be one that is successful, fulfilling and exciting.